At Elle Bee our aim is to provide a simple, enjoyable and stress-free experience for your wedding invitations and stationery
This guide outlines the ordering process along with a summary of print methods, colours and materials.
We do recognise that there are a lot of options available so if you have any questions or need help, please contact us. You also have the option of booking in for a free, no-obligation consultation if required which you can do here.
When and how to order
Timings can differ from couple to couple but we'd recommend the following as a general rule of thumb. If you're in a pinch then we do offer a paid fast-track service which reduces proofing and production time significantly.
Proofing & Production
All orders placed with us receive a comprehensive one-on-one proofing process where your invitations and / or stationery are created digitally for review and, ultimately, approval.
We include three rounds and allocate up to a maximum of 5 business days to each of these rounds.
Once approved and signed off production can begin where a maximum of 3 weeks is allocated to the production process.
Whilst we can't legislate for how long it takes for us to receive responses - from our side the maximum time we should take on an order will be 6 weeks.
Save the Dates
- Typically sent 12-18 months before the wedding
- Order 2-3 weeks before sending
Typically the simplest part of your wedding stationery journey, save the dates are also often the quickest, requiring minimal proofing revisions and swift production once we reach your position in the queue.
If you're really in a pinch for time then we do offer a digital-only save the date option, alternatively you can just bring the sending of your invitations forward and skip save the dates altogether.
Invitations
- Typically sent 6-9 months before the wedding
- Order 4-6 weeks before sending
Whilst it can fluctuate from couple to couple, the average turnaround time for invitations from end-to-end is around 4 weeks.
Unlike save the dates where information is minimal, invitations can be formed of a lot of pieces, handmade elements, personalised addressing and information, so we'd always advise leaving enough time.
Signage and Stationery
- Order at least 8 weeks before wedding day
Our goal with on-the-day stationery and signage is to have all proofing work signed off no closer than 3 weeks to the wedding day.
Whilst we suggest leaving an 8-week gap between ordering and the wedding day, there is no reason why you can't order earlier once you're in receipt of your RSVPs. If we end up getting the proofing work done ahead of time we will recommend a pause to ensure we can cover for any late-notice guest changes.
Letterpress & Hot Foiling
Due to the manual nature of the print methods and the requirement for the engraving of plates once design work is signed off, we would recommend adding a further 2 weeks to the suggested timescales noted above if choosing letterpress or hot foiling.
Fast-Track Service
For those under real time pressures we do offer a fast-track service which expedites both the proofing and production phases of an order.
Reducing timescales and prioritising your order requires us to work outside of our standard hours of operation, so an additional charge is applied:
- Order value less than £150: Fast-track service not available
- Order value £150-£300: 50% of order value
- Order value over £300: 30% of order value
If opting for a fast-track service proofing time will be reduced to 24 hours per round, and production to a maximum of 1 week (digital printing) or 2 weeks (hot foiling or letterpress)
1. Place your order
Orders for digitally-printed ("standard") can be made directly through the website using our simple order builder. You'll be guided through each of the options and make selections using the dropdown menus. No wording is collected when placing your order.
If you get stuck then we can create the order for you, just email us and we can get this done for you.
For hot foiling, letterpress and bespoke orders we'll need to create the order for you as there can be a lot more complexity to cover.
We will email you within 24-48 hours of you placing your order with a request for the wording and details required relating to the order you've placed.
2. Proofing
Upon receipt of your details we will prepare an initial digital proof for you to review.
We include two revision rounds beyond the initial draft so we can be sure that we've corrected any errors or stylistic adjustments.
All proofing rounds are sent within a maximum of 5 business days of receipt of your wording, details or edits.
At the end of this process we will get you to sign off your proofs ready for production.
3. Production
Once proofs have been approved we will move your order into our production queue to be completed.
The length of time taken can vary dependent on a number of factors, such as the printing method used and how many handmade elements are included. Most orders are completed within 1-2 weeks but allow longer for foiling and letterpress.
Our goal is to complete production within an absolute maximum of 3 weeks.
4. Delivery or Collection
Upon completion of your order we will check and carefully pack for dispatch or collection.
All orders are sent using a tracked courier service with a 48 hour turnaround time.
If you're local to our Worcestershire studio then you have the option of collecting from us during studio hours.
Digital Printing
We run four specialist digital printers in our studio (Wilma and Betty with Goose and Bertha in reserve), all with white ink capabilities. We refer to digital printing as "standard" prnting.
Having white ink enables us to print on any colour of cardstock or paper, which can be especially useful for belly bands and envelope addressing, meaning no ugly labels for coloured envelopes.
This means you get a consistent, high-quality approach no matter the colour of materials you've chosen.
To ensure a precise and sharp print our recommendation is that digital printing is in black or white. For coloured text we'd strongly recommend letterpress printing instead.
Hot Foiling
Hot foiling is an artisanal, manual printing technique which prints foil into material, leaving a luxury impression.
If you're into foil, be aware that digital foiling and hot foiling are not the same thing (digital foiling is flat, with foil applied over the top of print), only hot foiling will leave that gorgeous luxury impression in your cardstock.
The process for hot foiling requires the engraving of a magnesium plate, this is then placed onto our press (Florence, or Flo for short) and heated to around 100 celsius.
The impression and alignment is manually set to ensure a consistent print, with each piece being printed by hand one at a time.
Hot foiling can either be used on it's own for a piece or, using conventional cardstock, combined with digital printing so that key design elements can be highlighted.
Letterpress
The concept of letterpress printing is similar to hot foiling but instead of foil, we use ink.
Letterpress is the most traditional and luxurious printing method we offer with our press - nicknamed Lawrence - having been first built in 1892.
Ideal for that deep, luxurious impression into cotton stock, letterpress is an in-depth artisanal process from the manual mixing of inks to Pantone shades to impression adjustment and the manual printing of each piece. There's no electrics with Lawrence; it's just Laura, foot pedal power, and skill.
And the end result is incredible - there's a reason that royalty opt for letterpress!
Debossing & Embossing
Ideal for borders and decorative elements, debossing (sometimes referred to as blind debossing) makes an impression into material without the presence of ink or foil.
Unlike debossing, embossing raises artwork without the presence of ink or foil.
Particularly effective for monograms and decorative elements, embossing requires two plates (a male and a female) and we use our hot foiling machine to achieve the final result.
We can also emboss the reverse of envelopes for a beautifully sweet detail.
UV
Our newest addition is UV printing, a unique method of printing that enables us to print on almost any material up to a depth of 20cm. We've nicknamed this printer "Emo".
Whilst we're using this for a number of applications outside of weddings, having UV enables us to use acrylic without the need for ugly, temporary vinyl.
So whether it's small signage, place cards or photograph mementos from the day, UV is a luxury specialised option.
Print Materials
Quality materials are hugely important to us. Over the years we've refined our selection to ensure that no matter which material you choose, you'll be receiving stationery that uses the highest quality materials which we've extensively vetted and tested.

Cardstock & Paper
We partner with some of the UK's best manufacturers for our cardstock and paper. This is used for digital printing and foil press in a wide range of colours.
For foiling we also offer cardstock in a heavier weight.

Cotton
Eco-friendly and perfect for a deep impression with hot foiling or letterpress, cotton enables a crisp, legible print and is beautifully unique and tactile.
Cotton cardstock is in white / off-white only.

Handmade
Made out of cotton with a natural torn edge, handmade paper is a unique, delicate option for your stationery.
We use white handmade paper for both foil press and letterpress as a custom order only.
Cardstock & Paper Colours
Below are the current shades of cardstock and paper colours that have been hand-picked and extensively tested.
Depending on the shade, these colours are used for invitation and stationery pieces, pocketfolds and wallets, handmade envelopes, envelope liners and belly bands.

Fine White
Cardstock: 324gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: N/A
Envelopes & Paper: N/A

Pristine White
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Pale Grey
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Real Grey
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Smoke
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Ebony
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Vellum White
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Mist
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Natural Ivory
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Biscuit
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Cashmere
Cardstock: 350gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 350gsm
Envelopes: N/A
Paper: 120gsm

Fox
Cardstock: Not Available
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Blush
Cardstock: 350gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Nude
Cardstock: 350gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 290gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 140gsm

Old Rose
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Rosebud
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Carmine
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Claret
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Cool Blue
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Azure
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Steel
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: N/A

New Blue
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Sapphire
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Imperial Blue
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Litchen
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: N/A

Mid Green
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Sequoia
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Regal Teal
Cardstock: 300gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 300gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 120gsm

Forest
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm

Racing Green
Cardstock: 350gsm / 540gsm
Pocketfolds & Wallets: 270gsm
Envelopes & Paper: 135gsm
Foil and Letterpress Ink Colours
Below are our standard foil colours and letterpress ink colours. Other foil colours are available upon request and, using Pantone as a reference, we can mix letterpress ink colours to match a required shade.
When using digital printing we recommend black or white ink to ensure a precise and accurate print. For coloured text, letterpress printing is highly recommended.

Gold

Silver

Rose Gold

Copper

Black

Dove Grey

Terracotta

Champagne

Rose

Burgundy

Navy

Dusky Blue

Teal

Forest Green

Garden Green

Sage
Wax Seals
Handmade in our Worcestershire studio and provided self-adhesive for easy use, we offer a variety of wax colours as shown below. You can choose from a decorative unpersonalised design, or a personalised engraved monogram.

Crema

Antique Copper

Blush

Antique Gold

Prosecco

Champagne

White

Buttercream

Silver

Mulberry

Vintage Rose

Dusty Rose

Peony Pink

Lavender

Clay

Black

Carbon

Thyme

Linen

Sitka

Sequoia

Navy Blue

Dusty Blue

Baby Blue
Wax Seal Designs - House Designs & Personalised Monograms

Baroque

Canopy

Daisy

Eucalyptus

Fern

Fleur-de-Lis

Foliage

Garden

Holly

Lily

Palm

Rose

Snowdrop

With Love

Wreath

Alice

Bond Street

Eloise

Finsbury

Freya

Hannah

Harriet

Henley

Newbury

Sophia
Fine Art Vellum Jackets & Envelope Liners
Depicting gorgeous watercolour florals and landscapes, fine art vellum jackets and envelope liners add a layer of artisanal luxury to your invitations.
We can also incorporate custom venue illustrations to both of these options or, if you prefer, you can opt for plain unprinted vellum or plain coloured liners.

Abigail

Alice

Charlotte

Elizabeth

Eloise

Freya

Hannah

Harriet

Heather

Lara

Riya

Sophia

Victoria











